Voting open for Small Business B.C. Awards

A Penticton construction company is asking the public to vote for them in the Small Business B.C. Awards so they can donate the prize money to charity.

Koa Hughes, co-owner of Duffy Baker Construction Corp. with her fiancé, said if they receive the most votes in the Peoples’ Choice category the company will receive $1,500.

“We are not interested in the money and we have decided that we would like to donate the money to two local charities,” said Hughes, who added the money would go to Meals on Wheels breakfast program and the Salvation Army Food Bank. “After reading about the level of food insecurity in the community and the number of children who are living in poverty, we decided that these two programs help keep kids and families fed.”

The Small Business B.C. Awards recognizes the contributions and achievements of B.C. small business owners and entrepreneurs. The contest is open to all new and existing businesses registered in B.C. with fewer than 50 employees. Businesses can be nominated in as many award categories as they’re eligible for. The top 10 businesses with the most votes in each award category will move on to the next stage of the contest. If a business wins, they get a cash prize, a one-year access past to Small Business B.C. education resources and experts and business mentorship from the award sponsor.

Voting closes on Nov. 30. Hughes said she also hopes to challenge other local business in the industry to donate to local charities as well.

Last year, Penticton startup Winecrush won the Small Business B.C. Awards category of Best Concept. They are nominated again this year in the Best Innovation category. Okanagan Cosmetology Institute Ltd. is nominated for Best Apprentice Training.

To vote, or to see a list of all the businesses that have been nominated visit sbbcawards.ca.